Gabion

ABSTRACT

A device for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fortifications and static fenders. Gabions are introduced featuring several traits that make them especially suitable for field assembly and deployment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art in the field divulge gabions formed each in the shape of a cage container that utilize fabrics to shut off spillage of earth used for filling the open top cage. US 2012/134,756 describes a system in which such cages filled with earth form superstructure made of a plurality of adjacent gabions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for withstanding mechanical impact in which at least one corrugated sheet is configured to form a complete hollow enclosure. At least one joiner strip joins together two vertical flanks of a corrugated sheet. Typically, one of the corrugated sheets is made of construction material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic isometric view of an embodiment of a gabion of the present invention, tilted aside to expose the bottom plate;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric view of a rectangular embodiment of the invention in which the not all corrugation are aligned alike;

FIG. 3 is a schematic isometric view of a circular embodiment of the present invention emphasizing a joiner strip; and

FIG. 4 is schematic isometric view of a slice of the wall of a circular embodiment, showing an overlap area of the two flanks of a pleated sheet and indicating how the overlap promotes closure of the gabion formed.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings referred to above. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Gabions in accordance with the invention are formed typically in situ using corrugated sheets of construction materials. In FIG. 1 a gabion 10 in accordance with the invention is shown, not however in a deployed state, rather tilted to the side. As can be seen in, circular bottom plate 22, typically laid on the ground, is surrounded by gabion wall 24 made of two equal sheets wrapped around over bottom plate 22. The edges of the gabion wall 24, which are perpendicular to bottom plate 22, are held together by joiner strips 26 (only one seen). The bottom 28 of joiner strips 26 is bent toward bottom plate 22. Gabion wall 24 is corrugated or pleated. In general the gabion in accordance with the present invention has a wall made of one or more sheets, curved and joint at the vertical flanks, forming a complete hollow enclosure, optionally having a bottom plate. The lumen of such a hollow enclosure stands vertically, allowing material to be poured into the lumen.

Gabion Configurations

Several types of configurations are disclosed hereinafter.

Example 1 is depicted schematically in FIG. 2. The configuration of gabion 10 is rectangular, having 4 walls joined together at their ends forming a hollow enclosure. Gabion walls 24A are corrugated vertically, while gabion wall 24B is corrugated horizontally. This merely demonstrates that both orientations of corrugation (vertical and horizontal) are available for the constructor. Corner joiner strip 26 is shown only at one corner. The walls are attached to the corner joiner strips by screws, rivets or the like, 34. In some cases the rectangular configuration may be square.

Example 2 is a preferred type of configuration, as described above in FIG. 1. The circular gabion 10 shown is easier to erect in situ, in the field or deployment site, using typically less joiners than the rectangular one. In such a case (circular configuration), corrugations (pleats) are vertically oriented, while horizontal orientation of corrugations is irrelevant. In FIG. 3 another example is shown, emphasizing the joiner strip 26 of circular bastion and fastening elements 34, connecting the gabion wall 24 to joiner strip 26, only one of which is employed, because the wall 24 is made of one single sheet, folded to create a circular enclosure. Lumen 54 of the Gabion is evidently circular, to be filled with local material in the site of deployment such as sand and/or gravel. A bottom piece (see 22 in FIG. 1) may be installed or the gabion may be placed on the ground without a bottom attached.

Example 3 shows, in FIG. 4, how a circular gabion configuration including a one piece wall may be installed in the field. The corrugated sheet, only a piece of a slice 58 of which is shown, is made to curve forming a corrugated circle 60. An overlap region 62 is formed, in which opposite end regions of the same sheet overlap. The overlap is made by the crew members who install the gabion, making sure that a ridge of a pleat is made to juxtapose a ridge of subtending part, and a recess to juxtapose a recess, as indicated by line 64. Such adjusted overlap enables the closure of the wall to take place forming a strong attachment of the two flank regions of the wall. One or more joiner strips may be applied over an overlap region. To facilitate quick and convenient installment of such a gabion, screws, rivets, butterfly fasteners and the like can be used.

Example 4 shows, in FIG. 5, how a circular gabion embodiment is formed into a two lobed formation 82, made out of one or two corrugated sheets. One or more joiner strips 26 are used to join the two flanks of the corrugated sheet or two adjacent flanks of two different sheets together. In this configuration the joining strips also can be used to constrict the formation in the middle, to form a narrow neck, allowing some passage of material between the two lobes 84.

Gabion Super-Configurations

As in the prior art (such as WO 2011/012879 and EP 2317013 B1), gabions can be made to form super configurations, such that a plurality of gabions are arranged in a formation. This also relates to gabions manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Such arrangements, for example two or multistoried walls, horizontal structures and a combination thereof, can be employed effectively for a variety of reasons. For example, to block away rising water in the banks of a flooded river or sea, the gabion will need to be laid one next to the other without gaps, in one or more tiers. For blocking road traffic from reaching a certain place in which construction work is taking place, continuity of gabions is of less importance. To dwell on the issue of filling the distance between adjacent gabions, when they are noncontiguous, or to fill a gap in a row of gabions, other impediments to movement between the gabions can be applied. For example one or more chains can be attached at each end to a respective gabion, or a fence, or metal bars likewise. In general, the gabions, once being filled with sand, gravel, earth, cement or any suitable powder, pellets, aggregate, can be used as a basis for an additional layer set on top of the lower layer. Once the top layer is set up in place the individual gabions can be filled up, etc.

Gabion Wall Material

Corrugated steel in the form of sheets are the preferred material for gabions of the invention, especially if years of service may be anticipated at the time of deployment. Corrugated steel may galvanized to withstand chemical attack, is completely immune to solar radiation and intrinsically sturdy mechanically. Corrugated plastic sheets are also available, but may be weaker and would suffer from solar radiation if used outside, especially in non-shaded sites. For the purpose of the present invention, the corrugated plastic sheet is required to have a certain flexibility so that it can be folded to a circular shape, typically along the pleats. In rectangular embodiments, the corrugated sheets need not be flexible. Corrugated cardboard can also be used for building gabions in accordance with the present invention, but they are likely to weather quickly because of the effect of rain, mist and fog, winds and such have on the longevity of the cardboard. In such gabions as there is more than one corrugated sheet, it may be possible to use sheets of different make up. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for withstanding mechanical impact comprising: at least one corrugated sheet, configured to form a complete hollow enclosure; at least one joiner strip for joining together two vertical flanks of said at least one corrugated sheet, wherein said at least one corrugated sheet is made of construction materials.
 2. The device according to claim 1, in which said configuration the folding of said at least one corrugated sheet creates an enclosure having a circular lumen.
 3. The device according to claim 1, in which said configuration forms a rectangular hollow enclosure.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein a bottom plate is installed. 